school policies

All students enrolled at the Dance Conservatory of Maryland should be able to enjoy the art of dance in a positive, healthy and distraction-free environment. Our faculty and staff do their best to promote respectful behavior from all students in the classroom.   

Please observe the following school policies to ensure that each student gets the most out of their time at DCM. Do not hesitate to contact the DCM office if you have any questions about school policies. 


  • Students are expected to behave respectfully and courteously at all times toward DCM faculty, staff and each other.
  • Students must follow dress code for all classes and rehearsals.
  • It is the responsibility of the student to make up all missed classes promptly at the students level or a lower level.
  • All cell phones should be turned off and left outside of the studio during class.
  • Students must show respect for the property of others and for the facilities. Students should put their belongings neatly in the places provided for them and leave the lunches and dance bags of others alone. Help keep studio buildings and grounds clean and neat by putting waste paper, food and drink containers in the appropriate receptacles. No gum, food or drink (except water) is permitted in any DCM studios.
  • DCM is not responsible for any lost or stolen items, and DCM shall not be liable in any way for injuries sustained during attendance at the ballet school or any of its related functions.
  • Animals in DCM buildings, other than service animals, are not permitted.
  • No one may smoke, chew gum or use inapropriate language, alcohol or drugs in or near the dance studios.
  • The use or possession of weapons of any type is not permitted.
  • In keeping with the honor system, students who witness infractions of rules must report them immediately to the appropriate staff person. Those who do not may be subject to disciplinary action.
  • Parents must be present while your child is not in class.

Class Attendance

Consistent attendance is expected and is critical to the student’s progress. Missed lessons must be made up in a comparable class with the permission of the instructor. All missed lessons must be made up within the session (no carry over). Students should arrive 15 minutes early to get dressed, warm-up and use the restroom. Students are expected to wait outside the classroom until their scheduled class time. Any student who is not prepared for class because of lateness, behavior problems or inattention to the dress code may be asked by the teacher to sit and observe class instead of participating. Students should be picked up in a timely fashion, within 10 minutes of the end of their last class. DCM faculty and staff cannot be responsible for students left beyond this time.Good attendance is particularly important for dancers performing in the spring production. If dancers miss more than 4 classes/performance classes per session, he/she may be removed from the production and no refunds will be given. Arriving late, leaving early, and observing class because of injury or illness will count as a half an absence. 

Injury/Illness Policy

Students who are ill, including those with headaches, upset stomachs and cramps, etc., may observe class with the permission of their parent. Students who do not take class because of injury should seek the treatment of a medical professional. Students with injuries should take as much of each class as they can, modifying exercises if necessary or doing stretch classes as recommended  by a medical professional. Students should observe and fill out an observation sheet for any part of class they cannot participate in, and return the observation sheet to the teacher at the end of the class. If acceptable to the teacher, the student will be given full credit for the class. All classes missed due to injury or illness should be made up by attending a comparable class as soon as possible. 

Gross Misconduct

Any student or parent who verbally or physically abuses anyone, verbally defies any faculty or staff member, commits any unlawful action or commits any other action deemed by DCM to be grossly inappropriate will be dismissed from the school immediately. There will be no refunds.

dress requirements

Recreational Program

Creative Movement - Light pink leotard, pink footed tights, pink ballet slippers, hair in a bun

PreBallet - Lavender leotard, pink footed tights, pink ballet slippers, hair in a bun

Ballet 1* - Light blue leotard, pink footed tights, pink ballet slippers, hair in a bun

Ballet 2/2x* - Red leotard, pink footed tights, pink ballet slippers, hair in a bun

Elementary/Intermediate/Advanced Ballet - Black Leotard, pink tights, pink ballet slippers. 

Tap - Any solid color leotard, solid tights/leggings/jazz pants, black patent tie tap shoes (4-7 years), black oxford tap shoes (8 years and up), hair in a bun or pony tail

Jazz/Hip Hop - Any solid color leotard, solid tights/leggings/jazz pants, black jazz shoes/sneakers, hair in a bun or pony tail

Modern - Any solid color leotard, solid tights/leggings, bare feet, hair in a bun
 

  • *Leotards for Ballet 1 and 2 should be traditional/conservative styles (unadorned, no halters, cutouts, or strap designs). Dancers at this level should not wear undergarments under their leotard and tights.  

Pre-Professional Ballet Program

Ballet 3 - Navy leotard, pink convertible seamed tights, pink canvas ballet slippers with ribbons

Ballet 4 - Royal blue/black leotard, pink convertible seamed tights, pink canvas ballet slippers with ribbons

Ballet 5 - Purple/black leotard, pink convertible seamed tights, pink canvas ballet slippers with ribbons

Ballet 6 - Gray/black leotard, pink  convertible seamed tights, pink canvas ballet slippers with ribbons

  • leotards should be traditional/conservative styles (unadorned, no halters, cutouts, or strap designs)
  • If bra support is needed, undergarments should not show.
  • Hair should be in a bun or similar style with all bangs pinned or sprayed back.
  • Solid color skirts may be worn for pointe classes and rehearsals
  • No warm up garments should be worn during class excepting plain pink leg warmers in the case of injury.

Male Students

Ballet - Tight fitted white T-shirt or white leotard, black tights, black ballet slippers, or white ballet slippers with thin white socks (Ages 10 and up shoudl wear a black or tan dance belt (athletic support) when necessary.

Jazz/Hip Hop/Modern/Tap - Tight fitted T-shirt (no writing or logos, black pants, black jazz shoes, jazz sneakers, or tap shoes


Inclement Weather Policy

In the event of inclement weather or class cancellations for any other reason, this page will be updated with the latest information about the DCM school closing. You can also call the DCM office for weather concerns at 410-877-3281 or check the school Facebook page. An announcement will be posted at least one hour before class time in the event of class cancellations.  

Please remember that DCM does not follow the local public school system closings. The Dance Conservatory of Maryland does not hold make-up classes, and no tuition reductions will be given for classes canceled due to inclement weather. When class is canceled due to inclement weather, students have the option to make up that class in any other class at their level or below that is held throughout the week. 
Please view the current class schedule to see which classes are available for each level and dance discipline. Please call the office if you have any questions about the make-up policy.